Toast to expansion as East Kilbride whisky firm thrives

Growth plans announced as new funding is secured for Peel Park's JD Distillers

Neil Berry (left) West of Scotland business development manager at Clydesdale Bank and Gerry McSherry, group managing director at JG Distillers

An East Kilbride-based whisky firm is set for expansion after receiving support from its bank.

The whisky blenders, bottlers and exporters, who operate from Peel Park, are investing in new stock after obtaining significant funding from Clydesdale Bank’s West of Scotland Business and Private Banking Centre in Glasgow.

Founded in 1991 by Colin Barclay the JG Distillers Group employs 40 staff at its bonded warehouse facility.

The business exports a range of single malt, blended malt and blended Scotch whisky to over 40 overseas markets, including its best-selling blended Scotch whisky brands Barclays, Highland Chief and McIvor.

It also supplies a range of Hart Brothers single malts featuring whisky from some of Scotland’s most acclaimed distilleries including world famous Islay distillery Ardbeg.

According to figures published by the Scotch Whisky Association in April of this year, Scotch whisky exports increased by three per cent last year and were worth £4.3bn to the UK economy. The fastest growing markets were the US, India and Brazil.

Gerry McSherry, group managing director, said: “Scotch whisky continues to be one of the UK’s major export success stories, accounting for 85 per cent of Scottish food and drink exports and nearly a quarter of the British total.

“As demand continues to grow overseas we aim to develop new markets, expand within existing markets and grow our inventory.”

Neil Berry, West of Scotland business development manager at the bank, said: “We are proud to support JG Distillers Ltd, a thriving, independent Scotch whisky group.

The company’s success is a testament to the experience, drive and expertise shown by Gerry and his team.”

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